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Houdini (1953)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
2 July 1953 (USA) moreNewsDesk:
(3 articles)
Are You Ready for Harry Houdini, Action Spy? (From Cinematical. 27 March 2009, 11:03 AM, PDT)
Summit to develop "Houdini" film. Part Indiana Jones part Sherlock Holmes?
(From Movie Jungle. 27 March 2009)
User Comments:
Who cares if it isn't accurate, it sure is fun!! moreCast
(Complete credited cast)| Tony Curtis | ... | Harry Houdini | |
| Janet Leigh | ... | Bess Houdini | |
| Torin Thatcher | ... | Otto (Von Schwager's assistant) | |
| Angela Clarke | ... | Mrs. Weiss | |
| Stefan Schnabel | ... | German Prosecuting Attorney | |
| Ian Wolfe | ... | Malue | |
| Sig Ruman | ... | Schultz | |
| Michael Pate | ... | Dooley (London examiner) | |
| Connie Gilchrist | ... | Mrs. Shultz | |
| Malcolm Lee Beggs | ... | British jail warden | |
| Frank Orth | ... | Mr. Hunter (safe expert) | |
| Barry Bernard | ... | Insp. Marlick | |
| Douglas Spencer | ... | Simms (New York observer) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parentsRuntime:
106 minCountry:
USALanguage:
EnglishColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 moreSound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The movie contains several factual errors, the most telling of which is the dramatization of his death. In the film he runs into a prop sword handle and ruptures his appendix, then almost drowns in the torture tank trick and dies on the stage in the arms of his wife. In real life he was punched in the stomach by a college boy who had heard that Houdini could withstand any blow without harm. This did, indeed, rupture his appendix. He later collapsed on stage, was taken to the hospital and died there. moreGoofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: Near the end, when Bess is in the empty theatre, begging Harry not to do the trick, she is clapping. You can hear the loud claps, although she is wearing gloves on both hands. You would never hear the claps, only muted thuds. moreSoundtrack:
Waltz from 'The Poet and Peasant Overture' moreFAQ
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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Houdini (1953)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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| what is the name of he song when the curtain opens 4 underwater trick ? | steel_reign_2020 |
| On DVD yet? | ROBAK |
| Detroit River | daryavaush |
| Name of Hungarian Waltz? | qwiggly |
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If it wasn't for the movies and the books on Harry Houdini's life he would fall into a category of un-interesting performers who only could do one thing perform
He lived in a time where his talents were in great demand and despite the fact that this film is not accurate it is lovingly presented by Paramount a **Color Film** in a time where Black and White films were still commonplace, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh at the peak of their building careers and George Marshall a veteran director of close to 120 films
They knew what they were doing when the movie partially fictionalized Houdini's life possibly because he was a one note person, a magician, an escape artist, a performer
The movie is excellent!! and that is all that matters, if I am not mistaken almost every remake has fictionalized his life in one way or another, this movie is a true gem!!